For those of us who are Jewish, and were born since the birth of the Jewish State in 1948, there has probably existed a relationship with Israel that ranged from unrequited love to indifference. Most American Jews were somewhere in-between. Personally, my attitudes did not move to the former level until I travelled to Israel as part of a study abroad program in 1968. Until then, I shared what was an attitude most Jews my age felt: Israel was a place to reside should the United States became unsafe for Jews. For that reason alone, present in my belief system was an existential concern for the Israeli state.

In the 75 years since its independence, many wars and crises became part of the country’s history. Yet, not until this past October, did a series of events arise that enveloped Israel in world opprobrium. This situation endures and, seemingly, has no immediate end in sight. Remarkably, for the first time in memory, the existing special relationships between Israel and American Jewry, as well as the United States and Israel, have been called into question by significant segments of the American (and European), publics. The longer this situation continues for Israel, the greater its peril. We can only hope that the Israeli public—and especially its leaders—recognize this reality before Israel becomes embroiled in wider violence and/or sees a further, significant, erosion of support.

The precipitating cause of Israel’s current decline in esteem and respect can be traced to events occurring almost a year ago, on October 7th, when the terror group Hamas killed 1200 people in an attack on Israeli territory adjacent to the Gaza Strip. Since then, approximately 39,000 Palestinian civilians and 4,000 Israelis (most of them military), have died in the ongoing conflict. The destruction of Gaza (both people and infrastructure), as noted, has produced a world-wide condemnation of Israel and in those nations (primarily the United States), that have supported her both in terms of military assistance and public opinion. Even among world Jewry, the blanket support expected by the Israelis has not come. This latter factor, especially as it has become evident amongst the American Jewish community, is at the heart of the dilemma Israel faces. To utterly destroy Hamas will require significantly more death and destruction, especially for innocent Palestinians. That would further erode Israel’s political, military, and public support.

Today, Israel remains a technological and economic superpower, especially when compared with its Middle Eastern neighbors. That reality cannot exist over an extended time-frame without public support and political goodwill. American military and economic assistance are especially dependent upon strong backing from the American people and, particularly, American Jewry and the Christian Evangelical community. Should the Gaza war become a long, drawn out war of attrition and Israel’s battle with Hezbollah intensifies on its northern front with Lebanon, Israel’s future as a sovereign, democratic state, becomes bleak.

Caught in domestic political turmoil of his own making, Prime Minister Netanyahu must decide on the prospect of new elections at the cost of staying in power. His far-right coalition partners say they will leave the government and bring on its collapse if war does not continue until their victory is assured. The latter is unlikely to happen if current conditions remain. Rather, hostages will die, more soldiers and civilians will suffer and perish, and the pariah state we today call Israel will become a pragmatic reality. Can any of us, other than Israel’s enemies, take comfort from this or similar predictable outcomes? It is time to impose the severest of sanctions on those blocking a political settlement, Arabs and/or Israelis. Political and moral courage is needed, especially by Israel’s leaders. So far, those qualities are not in sight. Wait too long and the pariah state will become reality with Israel’s ultimate security at stake.